PIB digest for Saturday, 31 October

Saturday, 31 October9 briefs

• ISRO Successfully Launches GSLV-F18 Carrying NVS-03

  Prime Minister's Office · Science & Tech

  The Prime Minister congratulated ISRO scientists and engineers on the successful launch of the GSLV-F18 rocket carrying the NVS-03 satellite, which strengthens India's indigenous navigation system, NavIC.

  This event is important for the UPSC syllabus under Science and Technology (space technology, indigenous satellite navigation systems, and achievements of Indians in science & technology).

  Key objectives

  • Successful launch of GSLV-F18 carrying the NVS-03 satellite by ISRO
  • Strengthening NavIC, India's indigenous satellite navigation system
  • Advancing India's pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies

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• Inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise 2026

  Ministry of Defence · IR

  The inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise is being held from October 30 to November 3, 2026, bringing together seven member states to enhance maritime cooperation, operational linkages, and regional security in the Bay of Bengal.

  This exercise is significant for UPSC as it illustrates India's strategic engagement in regional groupings like BIMSTEC, maritime diplomacy, and security cooperation in the Bay of Bengal under international relations.

  Key objectives

  • Conducting the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise from 30 Oct to 03 Nov 2026.
  • Enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and coordination among member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • Building upon the outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”.
  • Highlighting the strategic importance of India’s first integrated tri-service command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).

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• NMMSS Application Deadline Extended for 2026-27

  Ministry of Education · Education

  The Ministry of Education extended the application deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the academic year 2026-27 to November 15, 2026. The scheme grants ₹12,000 per annum to meritorious students from economically weaker sections studying from Class IX to Class XII.

  This scheme illustrates government interventions in human resource development aimed at reducing dropout rates at the secondary level for economically weaker sections, aligning with UPSC syllabus themes on social justice and education.

  Key objectives

  • Provides ₹12,000 per annum via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to eligible students from economically weaker sections.
  • Targets meritorious students studying in state government, government-aided, and local self-government schools to continue education from Class IX up to Class XII.
  • Applicants must have secured at least 55% marks in Class VII (with a 5% relaxation for SC/ST) and have an annual parental income not exceeding ₹3.50 lakh.

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• CAQM Team Reviews Paddy Straw Management in Punjab

  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · Environment

  A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed paddy straw management measures and stubble burning prevention in the Punjab districts of Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla. The team inspected in-situ machinery and visited ex-situ facilities including a paper mill utilizing 17,000 MT of paddy straw annually and a pelletizing unit producing biomass fuel for thermal power plants.

  This release illustrates the institutional mechanisms for tackling regional air pollution and stubble burning under environmental governance, relevant to the UPSC syllabus topic of environmental pollution and conservation.

  Key objectives

  • Review paddy straw management and control of stubble fires in Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla districts of Punjab.
  • Inspect ground-level in-situ machinery such as super seeders and ex-situ utilization facilities like paper mills and pelletizing units.
  • Ensure effective coordination and alignment between ground actions and administrative targets set for stubble burning prevention.

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• Union Government Releases Tax Devolution to States

  Ministry of Finance · Economy

  The Union Government released an additional tax devolution instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore to state governments on October 31, 2026, marking the second such advance release of the financial year to support state capital spending and welfare expenditures during the festive season.

  This topic is important for the UPSC syllabus under Indian Economy and Fiscal Federalism, highlighting center-state financial relations and resource transfers.

  Key objectives

  • Union Government released an additional instalment of tax devolution amounting to Rs. 1,09,019 crore to State Governments on 31st October 2026.
  • This is the second additional instalment released in the current financial year in addition to regular monthly devolution.
  • Aims to help States accelerate capital spending and finance development and welfare-related expenditure during the festive season.

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• National Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27 Held

  Ministry of Panchayati Raj · Polity

  The Ministry of Panchayati Raj hosted the National Workshop on the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026–27 in New Delhi, releasing the PPC booklet and signing an MoU with CESL to set up EV charging stations on Panchayat land. The event emphasized building 'Atmanirbhar Panchayats' through enhanced Own Source Revenue and decentralized development planning under initiatives like PM VGSY.

  This initiative illustrates the core UPSC syllabus theme of devolution of powers and responsibilities up to the grassroots level, focusing on local self-government, decentralised planning, and financial empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

  Key objectives

  • Promote grassroots participation through the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026–27 to formulate Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
  • Enhance Own Source Revenue (OSR) of Panchayats to achieve financial self-reliance and qualify for performance grants.
  • Establish EV charging and battery swapping stations on Panchayat land through an MoU with CESL to support green mobility.
  • Implement the Pradhan Minstri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY) for holistic rural governance transformation.

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• Mizoram Road Works Approved Under PMGSY-IV

  Ministry of Rural Development · Infrastructure

  The Ministry of Rural Development approved 45 road works spanning 509.54 km under PMGSY-IV for Mizoram at a cost of ₹710.40 crore, providing all-weather road connectivity to 48 habitations for the first time.

  This release is significant for UPSC as it highlights rural infrastructure development and connectivity schemes, illustrating policies and interventions for inclusive regional development under the infrastructure syllabus theme.

  Key objectives

  • Approved 45 road works spanning 509.54 km under PMGSY-IV (Batch-1, FY 2026-27).
  • Total estimated cost of the approved projects is ₹710.40 crore.
  • Provides all-weather road connectivity to 48 habitations for the first time.

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• Customs Duty Exemption on Cotton Imports Extended

  Ministry of Textiles · Economy

  The Government of India has extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until 31st December 2026, as notified by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The decision aims to ease input cost pressures for the domestic textile industry and support MSMEs.

  This update is significant for the UPSC General Studies syllabus under the Indian Economy section, particularly regarding government policies, industrial growth, and foreign trade.

  Key objectives

  • Extend customs duty exemption on cotton imports up to 31st December 2026.
  • Augment cotton availability for the domestic textile sector at competitive prices.
  • Support domestic manufacturing, MSMEs, and address specialised cotton requirements.

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• India Expands Social Security Coverage and EPFO Reforms

  PIB Backgrounder · Governance

  The government approved an increase in the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month, bringing over 51 lakh additional employees under formal social security coverage. The release highlights major digital and administrative reforms, including streamlined withdrawal rules, auto-settlement limits up to ₹5 lakh, and dispute-settlement schemes like VISHWAS and AMNESTY 2026.

  This PIB release is crucial for UPSC General Studies Paper II (Governance, Social Security, and Welfare Schemes), as it details structural and digital reforms in India's social security architecture administered by the EPFO.

  Key objectives

  • Increased the mandatory EPFO coverage wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month.
  • Introduced new schemes under the Social Security Code, 2020: EPF 2026, EPS 2026, and EDLI 2026 offering insurance up to ₹7 lakh.
  • Launched VISHWAS 2026 and AMNESTY 2026 schemes to resolve disputes, reduce litigation, and regularise PF trusts.
  • Enhanced digital delivery through automated claim settlements up to ₹5 lakh and Aadhaar-based Face Authentication for UAN generation.

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